Program Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Transforming Education, Empowering Lives: Support as our Program Assistant at Serendipity Center

Serendipity Center is leading the way in therapeutic education, offering a holistic approach that integrates Mental Health, Special Education, Wellness, and Transition Readiness. Our mission is clear: to empower students who need extra time, attention, and skill development to reach their full potential. As we grow, we are seeking a dedicated Program Assistant to help guide our educational and administrative efforts.

Why Serendipity Center?

At Serendipity Center, you’ll find more than just a job – you’ll find a community committed to excellence and support. As a private non-profit institution, we provide all the resources necessary for student success conveniently located on campus. Our commitment to small class sizes ensures that each student receives personalized attention, supported by a diverse team that includes teachers, Program Assistants, and a comprehensive array of professionals.

Perks and Benefits:

• Excellent PTO: Enjoy plenty of time off (48 hours of PTO/ 1st year) allowing for a healthy work-life balance, including breaks during school closures calculated out to a minimum of 32 paid days off during the school year.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Receive full health benefits starting on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. Participate in our 403(B)-retirement plan with a match after 1 year.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of ongoing professional development opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career.
• Free Lunch: Enjoy free lunches during scheduled school days prepared by our kitchen team, featuring fresh ingredients from our garden.
• Casual Dress Code: Show up as your most authentic self and wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable and expresses your individual style.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside passionate, mission-driven teammates who are dedicated to making a difference in students' lives.
• Growth Opportunities: Benefit from opportunities for personal and professional growth within a supportive and synergetic environment.

You’ll Drive the Mission By:

• Participates with mental health and classroom staff in implementing Behavior Support Plans (BSP) for the assigned student that addresses lagging skills and replacement behaviors that the student must master to no longer require the support of a Skills Trainer.
• Oversees, coordinates, tracks, and executes data collection and systems such as BSPs, Continuous Support (CS) requests, IEPs, etc.
• Provides group or individualized instruction, as directed by classroom teacher, using lessons and materials developed by teacher.
• Utilizes approved Ukeru pads in heightened situations.
• Fosters the cultivation of academic, behavioral, and social learning objectives through planning and collaboration with classroom teachers.
• Mentors Instructional Assistants through the modeling of intervention strategies that are in alignment with Collaborative Problem Solving and principles of Re-Education as part of our Integrated Intervention Model.
• Asses continually the level of intervention needed to support and facilitate the learning activities in the classroom.
• Coaches and provides skill building opportunities in alignment with students individualized plans; documents strategies/interventions and progress in specified locations. Coaching may include active listening, advising, problem solving, intervention planning, reinforcing positive skills, role-playing, or engaging in restorative conversations.
• Maintains knowledge of each student’s strengths, lagging skills, learning accommodations, goals, effective strategies, and mental health context.
• Establishes and maintains a rapport with students characterized by professional boundaries and respect’ adapts interaction style for the needs of individual students.
• Performs CPI and Ukeru approved non-violent intervention strategies to promote the best care, welfare, safety, and security for students and staff.
• In collaboration with the teacher, ensures school-wide practices are understood and implemented at the classroom level.
• Support and collaborate with the teacher by identifying classroom routines and student trends to target during Continuous Improvement Team Meetings (CITM).
• Provides constant supervision of students, particularly during transition points in the school day (e.g., skills practice, dismissal, etc.) in conjunction with other staff members.
• Provides instruction or direct classroom management for one period per day, including entering grades for the period or subject.
• Instructs and directs the classroom in the absence of, or under the direction of, the teaching using plans and materials approved by the teacher, Principal, or/or SPED Coordinator, which may include but is not limited to leading CITM.
• Assists classroom teacher to endure gradebooks are up to date and accurate according to Serendipity’s grading guidelines.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new Instructional Assistants or Instructional assistants new to their classroom.
• Assist in the preparation of graphic and written teaching materials.
• Oversees, coordinates, and collects classroom behavioral tracking daily and other incident reporting.
• Provides clerical support to teacher (e.g., organization of BSPs, progress monitoring strategies).
• Supports the teacher in the delegation of classroom responsibilities.

• Other duties may be assigned.

What Makes You Qualified?

• Education/experience: Bachelors degree and at least one year experience working with SPED population or High school diploma with Para-Professional certification and at least one year experience working with special education students.
• Certification/Licenses: This position requires a current CPI & Ukeru certification, which can be obtained on the job. CPR certification preferred or ability to obtain one.
• General Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from staff and parents/guardians, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Computer Skills: The ability to effectively learn & use serendipity’s system platforms.
• Physical Demands: This position requires you to effectively utilize approved physical restraint & intervention protocols using CPI & Ukeru. Occasionally lift, carry, push, and/or pull 25 pounds. Assist with setting up classrooms, moving furniture, and being physically active with student activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General office conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to assault by a student. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually average-moderate, but sometimes may be moderate and occasionally loud.